Ever since I heard Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane play “Limehouse Blues” on “Cannonball Adderley Quintet in Chicago”, I’ve been intrigued by this tune, which was originally written for a revue performed in London in 1921.
Jack Hylton recorded an instrumental version in 1922 with the Queen’s Dance Orchestra, but it was not until the song hit Broadway in the U.S. that it became a breakout hit. Fortunately, most jazz versions of this tune are instrumental, omitting the original Orientalist lyrics that, to use a Gen Z colloquialism, are “cringe”.
Arthur Lange was a prolific bandleader and arranger, and his orchestra had already recorded nearly 100 sides for Cameo before this session. The arrangement here is very tight and nearly symphonic in its precise interactions between the band’s instrumentation. Lange would later write a book on dance band arrangement that is quite an interesting read.
The jazz interest here begins around 1:28 with a muted 16-bar doo wacka doo trumpet solo by Earl Oliver.
Recorded in New York City on April 22, 1924.
Released as Cameo 545.
Credits:
Arthur Lange – director, arranger
Earl Oliver, Tommy Gott – trumpet
Eph Hannaford – trombone
William Tresize – alto sax, violin
Morris Payes – clarinet, alto sax
Owen Bartlett – tenor sax
Licco Liggy – violin
Ray Romano – piano
Frank Reino – banjo
Arthur Campbell – tuba
Ken Whitmer – drums